Bentley SUV is Go, Go, Go!

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British carmaker has given the green light to production of controversial luxury SUV.

It’s finally official. Bentley has confirmed it will start building its unnamed SUV from 2016 with 3,500 units per year slated for production. Codenamed ‘Falcon,’ the SUV will satiate China’s and Russia’s unrelenting appetite for luxury 4x4s, as the British carmaker relents to its two most lucrative markets. Bentley’s new fourth model may have been green lit, but styling is far from finalized. The EXP 9 F concept shown at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show was greeted with horror, and was at best polarizing according to Bentley chief Dr. Wolfgang Schreiber.

Getting feedback for a Bentley SUV was the primary aim of the concept, however, not its styling. And we expect some dramatic alterations to be made to the sheetmetal before building commences in Crewe. Powertrain options for the Bentley SUV will include the Continental GT’s 6.0-liter twin-turbo W12, the Continental’s 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8, and a plug-in hybrid V6 gasoline unit. A four-seat set-up with four-wheel drive will come as standard but with enough demand five- and seven-seaters will eventually be offered. A price tag of just over £100,000, in line with the Range Rover, is expected.